Overall, The Sims 4 really isn't a difficult game. The tutorials and guides are well done within the game, but some gameplay aspects might still be a bit confusing with how many features have been introduced. Building, in particular, tends to be a feature that most players find extremely daunting to approach, due to how much can be done.
Luckily, building is also one of the best features in a game that's otherwise behind on introducing some of its previous, essential features. There's so much you can accomplish, but building as a skill has a steep learning curve. The best way to get started is to copy the houses of great builders, or alternatively utilize some of these simple tricks to bring your basic homes to life with a bit of extra work.
Updated on April 1st, 2021 by Anastasia Maillot: The Build Mode of The Sims 4 is constantly seeing brand-new additions and updates as new expansions and game packs are introduced. With every new feature, builders have better tools available to create the house of their dreams in a smoother and easier way.
One of the latest updates that came with Snowy Escape introduced platforms, which had been a long-time request by tons of Simmers. However, with every new feature comes a slight learning curve, and many players might first find themselves discouraged to try something new. Here are a few more ways to use some of the newer features of The Sims 4 to take your builds to another level.
15 Decorate Roofs
Mastering roofs is a task of its own, but once you have a general shape nailed down and the color and material of the roof decided as well, it's time to add some details to it. A simple roof on its own will look naked and unrealistic, while small decorations or even plants will give it an organic appearance.
For Victorian houses in particular there are dozens of great details from small windows to chimneys. Play around with a few of these decorations and see what looks good for your build style in particular.
14 Try Different Foundations
Foundations can completely change the way a build looks. They can lift up a house and unexpectedly make it appear more luxurious or unique. Moreover, there's a wide variety of different foundation materials that will fit just about every building style out there.
Stilts in particular is a great choice to experiment with. They were added in with Island Living and can be used in a number of modern and tropical builds to give the house a more bungalow-style appearance.
13 Go Small
If you haven't already tried Tiny Living, it might be a great time to invest in it. Tiny Living not only comes with a bunch of cool and interesting Buy Mode items, but it also challenges you to build smaller and more eco-friendly builds. The smaller you go, the more passive lot traits your Sims can enjoy.
Tiny building is great for beginner builders especially since the builds don't need to be complicated. It's a nice introduction to Build Mode in general but can also act as a way to challenge more seasoned players to come up with something new and even alter their previous builds into smaller versions.
12 Play With Stairs And Ladders
Stairs are one of the best features of Build Mode thanks to how configurable they are. There's so much that players can achieve in terms of shape and size, and with several types of stairs available, you can spend a lot of time choosing the right look. Rather than having just one straight set of stairs, why not have two platforms and curve it?
With ladders also added into the game since Eco Lifestyle, if you're wanting to make a more modern and unique build, you could even choose to substitute stairs for ladders.
11 Use Platforms
With Snowy Escape, a highly requested feature was added into Build Mode which has significantly expanded the scope of all builds. Platforms are the perfect tool for any type of builder and can be used to break homes into different levels.
In modern builds, in particular, platforms will come in handy, but many traditional builds seen in Snowy Escape also make great use of platforms. You can really go wild with platforms and even make them appear as part of the furnishing when placed correctly.
10 Build Diagonally
The grid system in the game often encourages players to build according to its geometrical rules. However, vertical and horizontal aren't the only two ways a house can be made. You can also opt to build horizontally.
In the room tool, there are specific presets for horizontal rooms and foundations, which will make getting started on a horizontal build much easier. Keep in mind, however, that a horizontal build will require some creativity when it comes to furnishing. To avoid total chaos, only build some areas diagonally.
9 Adjust Wall Heights And Use Trims
Wall heights are the most versatile they've ever been in the history of The Sims franchise, and editing them individually is also easier than before. Even a single wall tile can be edited to be different from the rest.
There are also five different heights to choose from overall, which can completely change the way a room or area feels alike. On top of that, each wall has a specific trim. Adjust the color, change the wallpaper for these shorter or taller walls, and your home will instantly brighten up.
8 Build A Boat Or Trailer - Not A House
Sometimes, in order to build a great house you need to think outside of the box. Forget about building a simple house, but think instead of what other places people can live in. Some live in trailers, others live on boats, or even in treehouses, which make for some unique builds.
Boats for instance can be created quite easily by creating a fake pond with the pool tool and then building a path to the middle where a boat would be floating. It's not perfect, but there are so many ways to make this believable in the game, so don't let your mind restrict you with ideas.
7 Build Additional Buildings
Typically, the idea is to just build one big house for a family, with a nice little garden and maybe a pool, and stop right there. After all, there's nothing else that's really needed in, right? Again, it's time to get a bit more creative and think outside of the box.
Additional small buildings, especially on bigger lots that can afford to have them are fantastic at bringing a house to life. Add a small shed in the back of the garden, a garage with a fake car, or even a gazebo in the middle of the pool to give your Sims more room to roam and explore.
6 Open Basements
Basements are an underrated tool that are only recently seeing some more use from Simmers. They're not just fantastic for making secret areas for Sims to hide in, but they can also be used to make underwater houses or these sunken houses that have become super trendy as of late.
To open up a basement like this, just create a regular basement and then remove the ceiling with the use of the room tool. You can then add stairs leading down to this basement area and make it just like you want it: a home or a sunken garden, or even a brand new park community lot.
5 Build Attics
Attics are a regular part of any real-life home, but in The Sims 4 they aren't the easiest to create. This is because the roof tool is a bit clunky to use at times and to make a functional attic room is a bit of a challenge. That said, it's totally possible with a bit of tweaking.
The easiest way to make an attic room is to make a regular room and then build half roofs on all of its sides to create the appearance of a massive roof with a flat, Victorian-style top. Now, your Sims can have their romantic, Parisian style attic room to practice their skills in.
4 Use Greenery For Mistakes
Although the building tool is excellent in The Sims 4, it's not without its lackluster features and bugs. To this day, build mode could use some serious tweaking to allow players to better customize and create their dream homes. However, while waiting for changes, there are some bandaid fixes to visible mistakes that can't be otherwise dealt with.
With the use of the "bb.moveobjects" cheat, you can place greenery just about anywhere you want. Use plants on the sides of buildings to hide anything that juts out in an ugly manner.
3 Play With The Terrain Tool
The terrain tool was one of the greatest additions to build mode. Now, it's totally possible to make giant sinkholes and tall mountains with castles and hobbit holes lodged into them. There are really no rules when it comes to the terrain tools, other than to ensure your Sims can actually move around.
Next time, why not place that simple house on a hill? Or why not make a hilly backyard where children can play? Add in some water and rocks and the transformation is complete. Even the most boring of homes will benefit from great landscaping.
2 Use More Water
Water is another great way to spice up any build. Whether it's fountains or pools, there's a lot that can be achieved by adding some into modern buildings in particular. Water can help cut an otherwise boring and green yard into a more modern and organized shape.
Water also allows the placement of additional lights which will look truly stunning at night time. For fans of the modern, clean, and minimalist look, mastering the art of creating pools and fountains is a must. Building on stilts in Island Living is also an easy way to start incorporating water into your builds.
1 Merge Objects Into New Ones
A new trend in the building and furnishing community of The Sims 4 is players merging existing objects into new ones to quickly make the kind of objects they need for themed builds in particular. Looking to make a bunk bed or a new type of bench? No need to download custom content.
Just use the "bb.moveobjects" cheat to place objects wherever you want. You can even create a couch on which your Sims can actually sleep and not just nap.